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Matt Cohen

Managing Partner,
Life Science

Matt-Cohen

Why OUP?

OUP sits at the intersection between academia and venture capital, working at the forefront of scientific discovery and innovation. Our unique position has allowed us to enable talented entrepreneurs and inventors to be successful in developing new medicines and it’s incredibly rewarding to play a role in having real impact on patient’s lives.

Matt joined OUP in 2013 and focuses on investments in therapeutics, diagnostics, medical devices, and research tools. He has been involved with OUP’s investment in several portfolio companies including Biohaven Pharma (NYSE: BHVN), Synthorx (acquired by Sanofi), Kura Oncology (NASDAQ: KURA), Spero Therapeutics (NASDAQ: SPRO), Cell Design Labs (acquired by Gilead), Arrakis Therapeutics, PMV Pharma (NASDAQ: PMVP), Aerovate Therapeutics (NASDAQ: AVTE), Sana Biotechnology (NASDAQ: SANA), and others. Currently, Matt sits on the board of IMMvention Therapeutix and holds board observer seats at Arrakis Therapeutics, Glyphic Biosciences, and Faraday Pharma.

Prior to joining OUP, Matt was a strategy consultant with L.E.K. Consulting serving clients in biopharma, diagnostics, research tools, healthcare, and private equity. Engagements included strategy development, market assessment, commercialization support, portfolio development, acquisition target identification, and diligence / transaction support. As a Ph.D. student at the University of Pennsylvania Matt conducted research on the antibody response to a novel protein-based poxvirus vaccine and advised several startups while working with the Penn Biotech Group.

Matt holds a Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology from The University of Pennsylvania, and a B.S. in Microbiology from The Pennsylvania State University. Matt resides in Gladwyne, PA with his wife Jenna and their two children.

Education

  • BS, Penn State University
  • PhD University of Pennsylvania

Investments

Insights

University Spinouts, Life Science Webinar: University In House Therapeutics Development Recently, several universities and research institutions have set up internally driven and funded therapeutics development programs providing faculty the opportunity to push high impact translational research projects further than has been typically seen within an academic setting. These programs can oversee all stages of therapeutic discovery and development, from lab-based discovery to clinical trials. Why did these institutions decide to start these programs? How are these programs administered? What multi-disciplinary talent is needed and where did each institution find it? And perhaps most importantly, how much do these programs cost and who pays the bill? Read More »